Latch with a Built-in Adjustment Mechanism

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus is provided for adjusting a latch. An apparatus comprises a latch body, a first member, and a second member associated with the latch body. A receiving area extends through at least a portion of the latch body. The first member is configured to be at least partially received within the receiving area of the latch body. The first member has a first coupling element. The second member has a second coupling element. Movement of the first member along an axis through the receiving area changes a distance between the first coupling element and the second coupling element.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1. Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a latch and, in particular,to a latch for joining panels without using any additional tools. Stillmore particularly, the present disclosure relates to a latch that allowstwo panels to be joined and the width of the gap formed between the twopanels to be adjusted.

2. Background

Typically, the sidewalls of an aircraft interior are formed byinstalling panels that are joined together using mechanical fasteners.These panels may be referred to as, for example, “wall panels” or“sidewall panels.” With some currently available techniques for joiningpanels, a bracket having multiple slots is used to join two panelstogether. Each of these slots has an elongate shape such as, forexample, an oval shape. A nut plate is located within each of theseslots and is allowed to move freely within the corresponding slot of thebracket. Each of the nut plates is configured to receive the threadedend of a screw.

These screws are used to fasten the panels to the bracket. Inparticular, each panel may have an attachment feature, such as, forexample, without limitation, a loop, configured to receive the threadedend of a screw. When the bracket and the nut plates located in the slotsof the bracket are positioned relative to the panels, screws are driventhrough the loops and into the nut plates to fasten the panels to thebracket. In this manner, the two panels are joined together by thebracket.

However, joining panels using these types of brackets, nut plates, andscrews may take more time and/or effort than desired. Additionally,tools may be needed to drive the screws into the nut plates. Forexample, screwdrivers, screw guns, and/or other types of tools may beneeded.

Further, with these types of currently available techniques, the panelsmay be joined outside of selected tolerances. In particular, the widthof the gap formed between the panels after the panels are joinedtogether may be greater than desired. Consequently, the installation ofthese panels may need to be reworked multiple times to achieve aninstallation of panels that are within selected tolerances. Thisreworking may take more time and/or effort than desired. Further, thereworking may be more expensive than desired. Therefore, it would bedesirable to have a method and apparatus that take into account at leastsome of the issues discussed above, as well as other possible issues.

SUMMARY

In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus comprises a latch body, afirst member, and a second member associated with the latch body. Areceiving area extends through at least a portion of the latch body. Thefirst member is configured to be at least partially received within thereceiving area of the latch body. The first member has a first couplingelement. The second member has a second coupling element. Movement ofthe first member along an axis through the receiving area changes adistance between the first coupling element and the second couplingelement.

In another illustrative embodiment, a method for adjusting a latch isprovided. A first member having a first coupling element is inserted atleast partially through a receiving area that extends through at least aportion of a latch body of the latch. The first member moves along anaxis through the receiving area such that a distance between the firstcoupling element and a second coupling element of a second memberassociated with the latch body changes.

The features and functions can be achieved independently in variousembodiments of the present disclosure or may be combined in yet otherembodiments in which further details can be seen with reference to thefollowing description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the illustrativeembodiments are set forth in the appended claims. The illustrativeembodiments, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, furtherobjectives and features thereof, will best be understood by reference tothe following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of thepresent disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a latch in the form of a block diagram inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a portion of a sidewall for an interior ofan aircraft in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an enlarged view of a portion of a sidewallwith a latch in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an isometric view of a latch in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a top cross-sectional view of a latch inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an exploded isometric view of a latch inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a latch having a locking mechanism in anunlocked position in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a latch having a locking mechanism in alocked position in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a process for adjusting a latch in the formof a flowchart in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a process for attaching panels to eachother using a latch in the form of a flowchart in accordance with anillustrative embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an illustration of an aircraft manufacturing and servicemethod in the form of a flowchart in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment; and

FIG. 12 is an illustration of an aircraft in the form of a block diagramin accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrative embodiments recognize and take into account differentconsiderations. For example, the illustrative embodiments recognize andtake into account that a latch that is capable of joining together wallpanels without requiring any additional tools may reduce the time and/oreffort needed to join and install these wall panels. Further, theillustrative embodiments recognize and take into account that it may bedesirable to have a latch that allows the width of the gap formedbetween joined wall panels to be adjusted without requiring that thewall panels be disengaged and rejoined one or more times.

Thus, the illustrative embodiments provide a method and apparatus forjoining panels using a latch that has a built-in adjustment mechanism.Further, the illustrative embodiments provide a latch that does notrequire any additional tools to lock fasteners received in the latch infixed positions.

With reference now to FIG. 1, an illustration of a latch in the form ofa block diagram is depicted in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment. In FIG. 1, latch 100 may be used to join first panel 102 andsecond panel 104. First panel 102 and second panel 104 may be, forexample, without limitation, sidewall panels for the interior of anaircraft.

In this illustrative example, latch 100 includes latch body 106, firstmember 112, second member 108, adjustment member 110, and lockingmechanism 114. As depicted, second member 108 may be associated withlatch body 106. Further, second member 108 may or may not be moveablerelative to latch body 106, depending on the implementation.

When one component is “associated” with another component, theassociation is a physical association in the depicted examples. Forexample, a first component, such as second member 108 may be consideredto be associated with a second component, such as latch body 106, bybeing secured to the second component, bonded to the second component,mounted to the second component, welded to the second component,fastened to the second component, and/or connected to the secondcomponent in some other suitable manner.

The first component also may be connected to the second component usinga third component. In some cases, the first component may be consideredto be associated with the second component by being formed as part ofand/or an extension of the second component. In other words, the firstcomponent may be an integral part of the second component. In somecases, the second component may be considered an integral part of thefirst component.

In this illustrative example, receiving area 118 may extend through atleast a portion of latch body 106. In one illustrative example,receiving area 118 may be a hole within latch body 106 having one openend and one closed end. In another example, receiving area 118 may bepartially formed by a channel that extends through latch body 106. Thischannel may be open at both ends.

At least a portion of receiving area 118 may be formed by adjustmentmember 110. In one illustrative example, adjustment member 110 may bepositioned relative to latch body 106. In particular, adjustment member110 may be held within retaining area 116 formed by latch body 106.Retaining area 116 may be an open space or cavity formed by latch body106 having a size and/or shape configured to receive adjustment member110. Adjustment member 110 may take a number of different forms. In oneillustrative example, adjustment member 110 may be a separate componentfrom latch body 106. For example, adjustment member 110 may take theform of a cam.

Of course, in other illustrative examples, adjustment member 110 may beformed by a portion of latch body 106. In other words, adjustment member110 may be part of latch body 106. For example, adjustment member 110may be the portion of latch body 106 that defines the hole through latchbody 106 that forms receiving area 118.

When adjustment member 110 is positioned within retaining area 116,receiving area 118 may be formed. Receiving area 118 may extend throughlatch body 106 and adjustment member 110. In particular, latch body 106may have one or more openings or holes that form a portion of receivingarea 118. Further, adjustment member 110 may have a hole that forms aportion of receiving area 118.

When adjustment member 110 is separate from latch body 106 and when thehole in adjustment member 112 is open at both ends, receiving area 118may be referred to as a channel that extends through latch body 106 andadjustment member 112. Although a channel is described as having twoopen ends in these illustrative examples, a channel may have one openend and one closed end, depending on the implementation.

Receiving area 118 is configured to at least partially receive firstmember 112. For example, first member 112 may be at least partiallyinserted within receiving area 118 such that first member 112 isretained by receiving area 118.

Axis 120 may extend through receiving area 118. In one illustrativeexample, axis 120 may be a center longitudinal axis through receivingarea 118. In this illustrative example, first member 112 may be moved ina direction along axis 120 through receiving area 118. In particular,relative rotation between adjustment member 110 and first member 112 maycause first member 112 to move along axis 120. Relative rotation betweenadjustment member 110 and first member 112 may be rotation of onerelative to the other. In this manner, relative rotation betweenadjustment member 110 and first member 112 may include rotation ofadjustment member 110 and/or rotation of first member 112.

In one illustrative example, adjustment member 110 may be rotated aboutaxis 120 to cause first member 112 to move along axis 120. For example,at least a portion of first member 112 may have outer threads 122. Morespecifically, outer threads 122 may be located on the outer surface of aportion of first member 112. Further, adjustment member 110 may haveinner threads 124. Inner threads 124 may define the hole throughadjustment member 110 that forms a portion of receiving area 118. Outerthreads 122 of first member 112 may be configured to engage innerthreads 124 of adjustment member 110 in a manner that causes firstmember 112 to move in a direction along axis 120 when adjustment member110 is rotated about axis 120.

Further, first member 112 may have first coupling element 154 and secondmember 108 may have second coupling element 156. Movement of firstmember 112 along axis 120 may change a distance between first couplingelement 154 and second coupling element 156. In one illustrativeexample, first coupling element 154 may take the form of a firstelongated portion of first member 112 and second coupling element 156may take the form of a second elongated portion of second member 108.Movement of first member 112 in one direction along axis 120 maylengthen the distance between first coupling element 154 and secondcoupling element 156, while movement of first member 112 in the otherdirection along axis 120 may shorten the distance between first couplingelement 154 and second coupling element 156.

As depicted, control area 126 may be present in association withreceiving area 118. In one illustrative example, control area 126 may beconsidered part of receiving area 118. However, in some illustrativeexamples, control area 126 may be considered an additional hole,opening, or channel that runs substantially parallel to receiving area118 and opens to receiving area 118. In this illustrative example,control area 126 has open end 128 and closed end 130. Closed end 130 maybe formed by some structural portion of latch body 106. Open end 128 maybe configured to receive stop feature 132 associated with first member112.

Stop feature 132 may be associated with outer threads 122 of firstmember 112 in one illustrative example. Stop feature 132 may take theform of, for example, without limitation, a protrusion at some pointalong outer threads 122. First member 112 may be inserted into receivingarea 118 in such a manner that stop feature 132 enters control area 126.

In this illustrative example, end element 134 may be associated withlatch body 106. End element 134 may take the form of, for example,without limitation, cap 136. Cap 136 may be attached to latch body 106at the entrance into receiving area 118. Cap 136 may have opening 138that leads into receiving area 118. First member 112 may be insertedthrough opening 138 into receiving area 118.

As depicted, opening 138 may have shape 140 selected to receive firstmember 112 and stop feature 132. Shape 140 may be selected such thatonly one position for cap 136 relative to axis 120 may allow both firstmember 112 and stop feature 132 to pass through opening 138 and intoreceiving area 118. In one illustrative example, shape 140 may be ashape that substantially matches the cross-sectional shape of receivingarea 118 and control area 126 for the cross-section taken perpendicularto axis 120.

In this illustrative example, cap 136 may be rotated about axis 120until shape 140 aligns with receiving area 118 and control area 126.When proper alignment is not achieved, opening 138 may not open to openend 128 of control area 126. However, when proper alignment is achieved,opening 138 may open to open end 128 of control area 126.

When cap 136 is positioned such that shape 140 aligns with receivingarea 118 and control area 126, first member 112 may be inserted throughopening 138 into receiving area 118 and stop feature 132 may passthrough opening 138 into control area 126. After stop feature 132 hasfully entered control area 126, cap 136 may then be rotated about axis120 to close open end 128 of control area 126.

In this manner, the movement of stop feature 132 may be limited by thefirst boundary formed by cap 136 at open end 128 and the second boundaryformed by closed end 130 of control area 126. In particular, adjustmentmember 110 may be rotated about axis 120 to move first member 112 alongaxis 120. However, the distance by which first member 112 can be movedalong axis 120 may be limited by the length of control area 126.

Once first member 112 has been moved to a certain position along axis120, adjustment member 110 may be locked in place using lockingmechanism 114. Locking mechanism 114 is configured to prevent relativerotation between adjustment member 110 and first member 112. In thismanner, movement of first member 112 along axis 120 may be prevented.

In this illustrative example, locking mechanism 114 includes pivotableelement 142. Pivotable element 142 may be configured to pivot betweenlocked position 144 and unlocked position 146.

When pivotable element 142 is moved to unlocked position 146, adjustmentmember 110 may be allowed to rotate about axis 120. However, whenpivotable element 142 is moved to locked position 144, adjustment member110 may be prevented from rotating about axis 120. In this illustrativeexample, adjustment member 110 may have plurality of grooves 148 alongthe outer surface of adjustment member 110. When pivotable element 142is moved into locked position 144, a portion of pivotable element 142may enter, or interface with, one of plurality of grooves 148. Thisinterfacing may prevent adjustment member 110 from rotating.

As depicted, latch 100 may be attached to first panel 102 using firstattachment structure 150 and to second panel 104 using second attachmentstructure 152. First attachment structure 150 may be associated withfirst panel 102, while second attachment structure 152 may be associatedwith second panel 104.

For example, first attachment structure 150 may engage first couplingelement 154 of first member 112 and second attachment structure 152 mayengage second coupling element 156 of second member 108. In oneillustrative example, first attachment structure 150 may have first hook158 that engages first coupling element 154 of first member 112. In thisexample, second attachment structure 152 may have second hook 160 thatengages second coupling element 156 of second member 108.

In this manner, latch 100 may be attached to both first panel 102 andsecond panel 104 to join first panel 102 to second panel 104. However,gap 162 may be present between first panel 102 and second panel 104.Adjustment member 110 may be used to adjust width 164 of gap 162 formedbetween first panel 102 and second panel 104. Adjustment member 110 mayform a “built-in” adjustment mechanism for latch 100.

In particular, by rotating adjustment member 110 about axis 120, firstmember 112 may be moved along axis 120. Moving first member 112 alongaxis 120 may move first panel 102 attached to latch 100 by first member112. Moving first panel 102 may, in turn, change width 164 of gap 162.

In this illustrative example, latch 100 may be attached to structuralmember 166 through latch body 106. In this manner, latch 100 may be usedto attach first panel 102 and second panel 104 to structural member 166.First panel 102 and second panel 104 may be attached to structuralmember 166 using latch 100 for the purpose of forming a sidewall for theinterior of an aircraft.

The illustration of latch 100 in FIG. 1 is not meant to imply physicalor architectural limitations to the manner in which an illustrativeembodiment may be implemented. Other components in addition to or inplace of the ones illustrated may be used. Some components may beunnecessary. Also, the blocks are presented to illustrate somefunctional components. One or more of these blocks may be combined,divided, or combined and divided into different blocks when implementedin an illustrative embodiment.

In other illustrative example, second member 108 may be optional.Instead, a second first member may be associated with latch body 106 inthe place of second member 108 and configured for attachment to secondpanel 104. This second first member may be moved in a direction alongaxis 120 using a second adjustment member similar to adjustment member110. In this manner, both first panel 102 attached to latch 100 throughfirst member 112 and second panel 104 attached to latch 100 through thissecond first member may be moved to adjust width 164 of gap 162.

Turning now to FIG. 2, an illustration of a portion of a sidewall for aninterior of an aircraft is depicted in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment. As depicted in FIG. 2, a portion of sidewall 200 for aninterior of an aircraft is depicted. This portion of sidewall 200 isformed by first panel 202 and second panel 204. First panel 202 andsecond panel 204 are examples of implementations for first panel 102 andsecond panel 104, respectively, in FIG. 1.

As depicted, first panel 202 and second panel 204 are joined using latch206 and latch 208. Further, latch 206 and latch 208 attach to structuralmember 205. In this manner, first panel 202 and second panel 204 may beattached to structural member 205 using latch 206 and latch 208.Structural member 205 may be an example of one implementation forstructural member 166 in FIG. 1.

Further, latch 206 may be an example of one implementation for latch 100in FIG. 1. Latch 208 may be a different type of latch. Latch 206 isdescribed in greater detail in FIGS. 3-8 below. In particular, portion210 of sidewall 200 is shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 3.

With reference now to FIG. 3, an illustration of an enlarged view ofportion 210 of sidewall 200 with latch 206 from FIG. 2 is depicted inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment. In FIG. 3, an enlarged viewof portion 210 of sidewall 200 from FIG. 2 is shown without structuralmember 205 from FIG. 2 such that latch 206 may be more clearly seen.

In this illustrative example, latch 206 is attached to first panel 202using first attachment structure 300 and attached to second panel 204using second attachment structure 302. First attachment structure 300and second attachment structure 302 may be examples of implementationsfor first attachment structure 150 and second attachment structure 152,respectively, in FIG. 1.

As depicted, latch 206 includes latch body 304, second member 306, andfirst member 308. Latch body 304, second member 306, and first member308 may be examples of implementations for latch body 106, second member108, and first member 112, respectively, in FIG. 1. In this illustrativeexample, first attachment structure 300 engages first member 308, whilesecond attachment structure 302 engages second member 306.

Turning now to FIG. 4, an illustration of an isometric view of latch 206from FIGS. 2-3 is depicted in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment. As depicted, latch body 304 includes attachment feature 400and attachment feature 402. Attachment feature 400 and/or attachmentfeature 402 may be used to attach latch body 304 to structural member205 in FIG. 2.

Further, first attachment structure 300 includes first hook 404. Secondattachment structure 302 includes second hook 406. First hook 404engages first member 308, while second hook 406 engages second member306.

With reference now to FIG. 5, an illustration of a top cross-sectionalview of latch 206 from FIG. 4 is depicted in accordance with anillustrative embodiment. In this illustrative example, a topcross-sectional view of latch 206 is depicted, taken with respect tolines 5-5 in FIG. 4.

As depicted, latch 206 includes adjustment member 500. Adjustment member500 is a cam in this illustrative example. Adjustment member 500 is anexample of one implementation for adjustment member 110 in FIG. 1.Adjustment member 500 is held within retaining area 502 formed by latchbody 304. When adjustment member 500 is held within retaining area 502,channel 504 is formed. Channel 504 may be an example of oneimplementation for receiving area 118 in FIG. 1. Channel 504 extendsthrough latch body 304 and adjustment member 500. In particular, aportion of channel 504 is formed by one or more holes, openings, orchannels in latch body 304, while another portion of channel 504 isformed by an opening, hole, or channel that extends through adjustmentmember 500.

In this illustrative example, adjustment member 500 has inner threads508 along the opening through adjustment member 500 that forms a portionof channel 504. Further, first member 308 has outer threads 510. Whenfirst member 308 is inserted through channel 504, inner threads 508engage outer threads 510. With inner threads 508 and outer threads 510engaged, rotation of adjustment member 500 about axis 511 causesmovement of first member 308 in a direction along axis 511.

As depicted, first member 308 has stop feature 512. Stop feature 512 mayenter control area 514 when first member 308 is inserted into channel504. In this illustrative example, control area 514 has open end 516 andclosed end 518. Cap 520 may be used to close open end 516. Cap 520 maybe an example of one implementation for cap 136 in FIG. 1. When open end516 is closed by cap 520, the movement of first member 308 is limited tothe movement of stop feature 512 within control area 514.

In this illustrative example, first hook 404 is depicted engaged withfirst coupling element 522 of first member 308. First coupling element522 of first member 308 is bounded by element 524 and element 526 offirst member 308. Element 524 and element 526 constrain first couplingelement 522 such that first coupling element 522 has a widthsubstantially equal to, or just slightly wider than, width 528 of firsthook 404. In this manner, first hook 404 may be constrained by element524 and element 526. When engaged with first coupling element 522, firsthook 404 may be constrained such that first hook 404 may be unable tomove in a direction along axis 511 independently of first member 308.

Second hook 406 is depicted engaged with second coupling element 530 ofsecond member 306. Second coupling element 530 of second member 306 maybe wider than width 532 of second hook 406. In this manner, second hook406 may be allowed to move in a direction along axis 511 along secondcoupling element 530 of second member 306 independently of second member306. In this manner, when second panel 204 from FIG. 2 is also connectedto the first member of another latch, similar to latch 206, the extrawidth of second coupling element 530 may allow movement of second panel204.

With reference now to FIG. 6, an illustration of an exploded isometricview of latch 206 is depicted in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment. In this illustrative example, the individual components oflatch 206 may be more clearly seen. As depicted, latch body 304 may haveopening 600 and opening 602 that form a portion of channel 504 from FIG.5. Further, adjustment member 500 may have opening 604 that forms aportion of channel 504 from FIG. 5.

In this illustrative example, cap 520 has opening 606 having shape 608.Shape 608 may be selected such that first member 308 and stop feature512 may both pass through opening 606. Similarly, opening 600 may haveshape 609 such that first member 308 and stop feature 512 may passthrough opening 600. Stop feature 512 may pass through opening 600 andenter control area 514 from FIG. 5.

As depicted, latch 206 may also include locking mechanism 610. Lockingmechanism 610 may be an example of one implementation for lockingmechanism 114 in FIG. 1. Locking mechanism 610 includes pivotableelement 612 and fastener 614. Fastener 614 may be used to attachpivotable element 612 to latch body 304. The functions of lockingmechanism 610 are described in greater detail in FIGS. 7-8 below.

Turning now to FIG. 7, an illustration of latch 206 having lockingmechanism 610 in an unlocked position is depicted in accordance with anillustrative embodiment. In this illustrative example, locking mechanism610 is unlocked. In particular, pivotable element 612 is in unlockedposition 700. When pivotable element 612 is in unlocked position 700,pivotable element 612 does not engage or interface with any of pluralityof grooves 702 in adjustment member 500. Consequently, adjustment member500 may be allowed to rotate about axis 511.

For example, adjustment member 500 may be rotated in the direction ofarrow 704 or the direction of arrow 706 to move first member 308 alongaxis 511. In one illustrative example, rotating adjustment member 500 inthe direction of arrow 704 may cause movement of first member 308 in thedirection of arrow 708. In this example, rotating adjustment member 500in the direction of arrow 706 may cause movement of first member 308 inthe direction of arrow 710.

Pivotable element 612 may be rotated in a direction along arrow 710 tomove pivotable element 612 between unlocked position 700 and a lockedposition (not shown). This locked position for pivotable element 612 isdepicted in FIG. 8 below.

With reference now to FIG. 8, an illustration of latch 206 havinglocking mechanism 610 in a locked position is depicted in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment. In this illustrative example, lockingmechanism 610 is locked. In particular, pivotable element 612 has beenrotated and moved into locked position 800. In locked position 800,pivotable element 612 engages, or interfaces with, a groove in pluralityof grooves 702 in adjustment member 500. This type of engagementprevents rotation of adjustment member 500 about axis 511.

The illustrations of sidewall 200 in FIG. 2 and latch 206 in FIGS. 2-8are not meant to imply physical or architectural limitations to themanner in which an illustrative embodiment may be implemented. Othercomponents in addition to or in place of the ones illustrated may beused. Some components may be optional.

The different components shown in FIGS. 2-8 may be illustrative examplesof how components shown in block form in FIG. 1 can be implemented asphysical structures. Additionally, some of the components in FIGS. 2-8may be combined with components in FIG. 1, used with components in FIG.1, or a combination of the two.

With reference now to FIG. 9, an illustration of a process for adjustinga latch is depicted in the form of a flowchart in accordance with anillustrative embodiment. The process illustrated in FIG. 9 may beimplemented using latch 100 from FIG. 1 and/or latch 206 from FIGS. 2-8.

The process begins by inserting a first member having a first couplingelement at least partially through a receiving area that extends throughat least a portion of a latch body of the latch (operation 900).Thereafter, the first member is moved along an axis through thereceiving area such that a distance between the first coupling elementand a second coupling element of a second member associated with thelatch body changes (operation 902), with the process terminatingthereafter.

In this manner, the latch may be adjusted. The first coupling elementand the second coupling element may be used for joining two panelstogether through the latch. Changing the distance between these twocoupling elements may change a width of the gap between the two panels.

With reference now to FIG. 10, an illustration of a process forattaching panels to each other using a latch is depicted in the form ofa flowchart in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. The processillustrated in FIG. 10 may be implemented using latch 100 from FIG. 1and/or latch 206 from FIGS. 2-8.

The process begins by inserting a first member having a first couplingelement at least partially through a receiving area that extends throughat least a portion of a latch body of a latch (operation 1000). Next, afirst panel is attached to the latch by engaging the first couplingelement of the first member with a first attachment structure associatedwith a first panel (operation 1002). Further, a second panel is attachedto the latch by engaging a second coupling element of a second memberassociated with the latch body with a second attachment structureassociated with the second panel (operation 1004). In this manner, thefirst panel and the second panel may be joined together using the latch.

Thereafter, a determination may be made as to whether a width of a gapformed between the first panel and the second panel needs to be changed(operation 1006). If the width of the gap does not need to be changed,an adjustment member that forms a portion of the receiving area throughwhich the first member has been inserted is locked in place using alocking mechanism (operation 1008), with the process terminatingthereafter.

If the width of the gap does need to be changed, the adjustment memberis rotated relative to the first member to move the first member alongan axis through the receiving area such that a distance between thefirst coupling element of the first member and the second couplingelement of the second member changes, which in turn, changes the widthof the gap formed between the first panel and the second panel(operation 1010). The process then proceeds to operation 1008 asdescribed above.

Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure may be described in thecontext of aircraft manufacturing and service method 1100 as shown inFIG. 11 and aircraft 1200 as shown in FIG. 12. Turning first to FIG. 11,an illustration of an aircraft manufacturing and service method in theform of a block diagram is depicted in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment. During pre-production, aircraft manufacturing and servicemethod 1100 may include specification and design 1102 of aircraft 1200in FIG. 12 and material procurement 1104.

During production, component and subassembly manufacturing 1106 andsystem integration 1108 of aircraft 1200 in FIG. 12 takes place.Thereafter, aircraft 1200 in FIG. 12 may go through certification anddelivery 1110 in order to be placed in service 1112. While in service1112 by a customer, aircraft 1200 in FIG. 12 is scheduled for routinemaintenance and service 1114, which may include modification,reconfiguration, refurbishment, and other maintenance or service.

Each of the processes of aircraft manufacturing and service method 1100may be performed or carried out by a system integrator, a third party,and/or an operator. In these examples, the operator may be a customer.For the purposes of this description, a system integrator may include,without limitation, any number of aircraft manufacturers andmajor-system subcontractors; a third party may include, withoutlimitation, any number of vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers; and anoperator may be an airline, a leasing company, a military entity, aservice organization, and so on.

With reference now to FIG. 12, an illustration of an aircraft in theform of a block diagram is depicted in which an illustrative embodimentmay be implemented. In this example, aircraft 1200 is produced byaircraft manufacturing and service method 1100 in FIG. 11 and mayinclude airframe 1202 with plurality of systems 1204 and interior 1206.Examples of systems 1204 include one or more of propulsion system 1208,electrical system 1210, hydraulic system 1212, and environmental system1214. Any number of other systems may be included. Although an aerospaceexample is shown, different illustrative embodiments may be applied toother industries, such as the automotive industry.

Apparatuses and methods embodied herein may be employed during at leastone of the stages of aircraft manufacturing and service method 1100 inFIG. 11. For example, latches implemented in a manner similar to latch100 from FIG. 1 and/or latch 206 from FIGS. 2-8 may be used to installthe sidewall for interior 1206 of aircraft 1200. These latches may beused during component and subassembly manufacturing 1106, systemintegration 1108, and/or maintenance and service 1114. Further, thedifferent components that make up these latches may be manufacturedand/or assembled during at least one of material procurement 1104 andcomponent and subassembly manufacturing 1106.

Using a latch similar to latch 100 from FIG. 1 and/or latch 206 fromFIGS. 2-8 may reduce the overall time needed for installing the sidewallfor the interior of aircraft 1200. Further, using these types of latchesmay be easier than using loose fasteners, screw guns, and/or other typesof tools for installation, adjustment, and/or removal of panels for thesidewall. Still further, using these types of latches that allow thewidth of the gaps between the panels to be adjusted may increase theefficiency with which the sidewall may be installed.

In one illustrative example, components or subassemblies produced incomponent and subassembly manufacturing 1106 in FIG. 11 may befabricated or manufactured in a manner similar to components orsubassemblies produced while aircraft 1200 is in service 1112 in FIG.11. As yet another example, one or more apparatus embodiments, methodembodiments, or a combination thereof may be utilized during productionstages, such as component and subassembly manufacturing 1106 and systemintegration 1108 in FIG. 11. One or more apparatus embodiments, methodembodiments, or a combination thereof may be utilized while aircraft1200 is in service 1112 and/or during maintenance and service 1114 inFIG. 11. The use of a number of the different illustrative embodimentsmay substantially expedite the assembly of and/or reduce the cost ofaircraft 1200.

In this manner, the illustrative embodiments provide a method andapparatus adjusting a latch. The latch may comprise a latch body, afirst member, and second member associated with the latch body. Areceiving area extends through at least a portion of the latch body. Thefirst member is configured to be at least partially received within thereceiving area. The first member has a first coupling element. Thesecond member has a second coupling element. Movement of the firstmember along an axis through the receiving changes a distance betweenthe first coupling element and the second coupling element. In thismanner, the latch may be adjusted by changing the distance between thefirst coupling element and the second coupling element. Making thisadjustment may change the width of the gap formed between any twoobjects joined together using the latch.

The description of the different illustrative embodiments has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description, and is notintended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments in the formdisclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. Further, different illustrativeembodiments may provide different features as compared to otherillustrative embodiments. The embodiment or embodiments selected arechosen and described in order to best explain the principles of theembodiments, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinaryskill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodimentswith various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a latch body, wherein areceiving area extends through at least a portion of the latch body; afirst member configured to be at least partially received within thereceiving area of the latch body, wherein the first member has a firstcoupling element; and a second member associated with the latch body,wherein the second member has a second coupling element and whereinmovement of the first member along an axis through the receiving areachanges a distance between the first coupling element and the secondcoupling element.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: anadjustment member configured to form a portion of the receiving area andreceive at least a portion of the first member and wherein relativerotation between the adjustment member and the first member causes thefirst member to move along the axis.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein the adjustment member is a separate component positionedrelative to the latch body and configured to be held within a retainingarea formed by the latch body such that a channel through the latch bodyopens into a hole within the adjustment member to form the receivingarea.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first member has outerthreads configured to engage inner threads along a hole in theadjustment member.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: alocking mechanism configured to prevent the relative rotation betweenthe adjustment member and the first member.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5,wherein the locking mechanism comprises: a pivotable element, whereinrotation of the pivotable element into a locked position locks theadjustment member in place to prevent the relative rotation between theadjustment member and the first member and wherein rotation of thepivotable element into an unlocked position unlocks the adjustmentmember to allow the relative rotation between the adjustment member andthe first member.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the adjustmentmember comprises: a plurality of grooves, wherein the pivotable elementis configured to enter a groove in the plurality of grooves when thepivotable element is in the locked position.
 8. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the first member comprises: a stop feature configured toenter a control area within the latch body when the first member entersthe receiving area within the latch body, wherein the control area hasan open end and a closed end.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 furthercomprising: an end element configured for association with the latchbody, wherein the end element is used to close the open end of thecontrol area with the stop feature of the first member located withinthe control area such that a distance by which the first member can bemoved along the axis is determined by a length of the control area. 10.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first attachment structure isconfigured to engage the first coupling element of the first member anda second attachment structure is configured to engage the secondcoupling element of the second member.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the first attachment structure comprises a first hook configuredto engage the first coupling element of the first member and the secondattachment structure comprises a second hook configured to engage thesecond coupling element of the second member.
 12. The apparatus of claim10, wherein the first attachment structure is associated with a firstpanel and wherein the second attachment structure is associated with asecond panel.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first panel andthe second panel are configured for use in forming a sidewall for aninterior of an aircraft.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein movingthe first member along the axis through the receiving area such that thedistance between the first coupling element and the second couplingelement changes a width of a gap between the first panel and the secondpanel.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the latch body isconfigured for attachment to a structural member such that the firstpanel and the second panel are associated with the structural member.16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first coupling element is afirst elongated portion of the first member configured to receive afirst hook and the second coupling element is a second elongated portionof the second member configured to receive a second hook.
 17. A methodfor adjusting a latch, the method comprising: inserting a first memberhaving a first coupling element at least partially through a receivingarea that extends through at least a portion of a latch body of thelatch; and moving the first member along an axis through the receivingarea such that a distance between the first coupling element and asecond coupling element of a second member associated with the latchbody changes.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein moving the firstmember along the axis through the receiving area comprises: rotating thefirst member relative to an adjustment member that forms a portion ofthe receiving area to move the first member along the axis through thereceiving area such that the distance between the first coupling elementand the second coupling element of the second member associated with thelatch body changes.
 19. The method of claim 17 further comprising:engaging the first coupling element of the first member with a firstattachment structure associated with a first panel; and engaging thesecond coupling element of the second member with a second attachmentstructure associated with a second panel.
 20. The method of claim 19,wherein moving the first member along the axis through the receivingarea comprises: moving the first member along the axis through thereceiving area to change the distance between the first coupling elementand the second coupling element such that a width of a gap between thefirst panel and the second panel changes.